Bill seeks action to curb brutality against women globally

[ProSense]

Source: McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- Bipartisan legislation that would mandate a comprehensive plan to combat violence against women worldwide is poised for a potential congressional vote, marking tough new action by the United States on a problem that's commonplace across the globe.

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One of the original sponsors of the House of Representatives' version, Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., has said that passing the bill is an important step toward protecting women worldwide and advancing U.S. security interests.

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Since the act was introduced last February, the House and the Senate versions have gained traction in both parties: The House version has 118 co-sponsors and the Senate version has 30. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will debate and amend the act Wednesday morning.

Amnesty International calls violence against women "a human rights violation, a public health epidemic and a barrier to solving global challenges like desperate poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict." According to the human rights organization, at least one in every three women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/02/1758188/bill-seeks-action-to-curb-brutality.html#ixzz0vV06uBcv

[daleo]

1. Will this be used as a reason to invade some countries

Like Iran, but leave alone others, like Saudi Arabia?

[ProSense]

2. Live Chat with CARE: Passing the International Violence Against Women Act

Live Chat with CARE: Passing the International Violence Against Women Act

One of the greatest challenges to empowering women as agents of change is the gender-based violence women face worldwide. In some countries, gender-based violence impacts as many as 70 percent of women. According to the United Nations, “one out of three women throughout the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.”

Gender-based violence occurs in many forms and can be physical, sexual, or cultural. It is in the home in the form of domestic violence. It is rampant in conflict situations where women are violated and exploited as weapons of war. In the sex-trade, women are bought, sold, and abused as cheap, expendable goods. And in some cultures, women are mutilated, forced into child marriages, and denied access to basic rights such as healthcare and education.

This Thursday, August 5th at 12 pm Eastern/9 am Pacific, The WIP community has the unique opportunity to participate in a live internet chat with CARE, a leading humanitarian NGO that is working to pass the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) - a landmark piece of bi-partisan U.S. legislation.

John Kerry (D-MA), a lead sponsor of the Senate bill, recently commented “(I-VAWA) builds on the (Obama) Administration’s focus on women as peace-makers, change-agents, and a crucial investment in the future.”

In their efforts to effect social-change that is permanent, CARE prioritizes empowering women. As part of their commitment to greater independence and safety for women and girls, CARE is working to ensure I-VAWA 2010 passes in both the House and Senate. The WIP, an organization that values women’s perspectives as peace-makers and change-agents, is dedicated to joining all efforts to get I-VAWA passed.

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[Raggz]

3. The US to police our world

Here it is, the law that puts the US in charge of protecting the world.

[ProSense]

4. This is an aid bill. Still,

it's funny how people demanded that President Obama get address the Iranian elections and the Israeli assault, but help a bill to combat violence against women, is bizarrely labeled a plot for world domination.